Community Christmas Parades make this season bright

SIMPSONVILLE PARADE

Santa Claus came to town along with a parade of community floats on December 2nd down Main Street. Even the Grinch grinned as he steered a John Deere tractor on the road with the Simpsonville Arts Foundation. Entrants were given creative freedom to develop their own theme for floats and no winners were selected or judged. About 90 businesses and organizations decorated their floats with green garland and red wreaths. Hark the herald angels sang and played musical delights from the Hillcrest High School Marching Band. Parade sponsors were Lowe’s Home Improvements, D.R. Horton, Sharonview Federal Credit Union, Simpsonville Arts Foundation and Cotton Mill Apartments. Beautiful and famous faces including Santa, Miss South Carolina and Miss Woodmont waved to locals saying have your self a merry little Christmas!

FORK SHOALS PARADE

Hundreds of holiday spectators were rockin’ around this year’s 15th Annual Fork Shoals Christmas parade on November 25th at McKelvey Road and Cedar Falls Road. Between 50 – 60 entries and participants gathered around the street to pass out goodies and gumdrops. The Grand Marshall was the new principal, Mr. Foster from Woodmont High School. Other special guests included Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown and State House of Representative, Ashley Trantham. No boundaries were given for the theme and creativity reached the lofty heavens. A train float choo choo’ed down the road, the Grinch turned his grimace into a smile for all the whos and a pet pig named, Pinot snorted merrily. Ellen Woodside Chorus sang songs that sounded like silver sleigh bells. Santa rode in on a horse drawn carriage followed by 20 decorated holiday horses. The scene made everyone dream of a white Christmas and filled their hearts with holly jolly cheer.

The 2018 Trophy Winners are:

Best Theme: Woodmont High School FFA

Most Original: Oakhill United Methodist Church

Best Music: Woodmont High School Band

Judges’ Choice: Durant Ashmore Nursery

Most Unique: CityScape Winery

FOUNTAIN INN PARADE

It was a cold night at 5 p.m. on December 5th, but spirits were warm, merry and bright. Main Street turned into candy cane lane lined with gingerbread houses, a manger and snowman floats. Streets were packed with wise men, women and children to see the themes of creative community spirit. Keith Morton, Chief Of Police, was the Grand Marshall and rode in on a Bradley tank. Jack frost nipped at the noses of the Hillcrest Marching Band as they played traditional tunes and prepared for Santa’s big entrance. Judges decided who was naughty and which floats were nice. On a big red sleigh, Santa wished all the good little girls and boys a very Merry Christmas!

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